All events marked with * below are free, kid friendly, and open to the public.

Events that are for club members and their guest only are noted in the events descriptions below.

Skywatch is our free public observing program held once each month at the equestrian area of
Northwest River Park
in Chesapeake. BBAA members set up telescopes to share the view with visitors. Everyone is welcome, and no reservations are required, although prior notification for
large groups such as scout troops or classes is appreciated. The event runs from dusk until midnight. Visitors are welcome to arrive and depart at any time during the event.

This event is weather dependent so please check our
official calendar for event cancellations or more information

Skywatch, Northwest River Park, Chesapeake, VA

Nightwatch is our "observer's only" session for club members and their guests at
Chippokes Plantation State Park near Surry. The session runs from dusk until dawn. Our
night use of the park requires a permit and at least one copy of the permit must be present during the event. Members are asked to put a 9' x 11'' sign with "BBAA" in
large letters on the dash of their vehicles and pay the $3.00 entry fee at the main gate. Our night use of the park requires a permit.
Click here to log in to NASA's Night Sky Network to
download the permit.

Garden Stars is a joint program of the BBAA and the Norfolk Botanical Gardens.
Members of the public wishing to attend must sign up with the park and will be charged a fee. BBAA members set up telescopes to give sky tours to the patrons. A short PowerPoint
presentation is delivered (by a BBAA volunteer) on an astronomical subject prior to the telescope session. The session starts about an hour before dark and the end time is
variable. The BBAA club member who coordinates this event for us is George Reynolds.

This event is NOT weather dependent and the presentation will be given even if the weather doesn't cooperate.

Garden Stars, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Norfolk, VA

Night Hike is a summer program offered occasionally by
Parks, Recreation, and Tourism department
in Chesapeake. Hikers sign up in advance and pay a small fee. They are led on a nature hike by an amateur naturalist that highlights the natural nighttime environment. It
culminates with a stop where BBAA volunteers have telescopes set up and offer sky tours. Hikers should contact the park at (757) 421-7151.

This event is weather dependent so please check our
official calendar for event cancellations or more information

Night Hike, Northwest River Park, Chesapeake, VA

Saturday "Sun" Day is a free monthly solar viewing program held year-round and offered by the
Chesapeake Parks, Recreation, and Tourism department.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Amateur astronomers set up their telescopes at the Elizabeth River Boat Landing Park with solar filters and purpose built
Hydrogen-Alpha Solar Scopes for the public to view the Earth's closest star - our Sun.

This event is weather dependent so please check our
official calendar for event cancellations or more information

Saturday "Sun" day, Elizabeth River Park, Chesapeake, VA

Boardwalk Astronomy is held during the height of the tourist season from the month of May through September near the 24th Street stage area on the
Virginia Beach boardwalk. The BBAA provides this exciting opportunity to bring astronomy to the people of Hampton Roads at the invitation of the city of
Virgina Beach Parks & Recreation department and of
Virginia Beach Planetarium director, Chuck Dibbs. BBAA club members set up their telescopes for views of the Sun
during the day and any available planets and the Moon after dark.

This event is weather dependent. If the event is canceled due to weather it may be held on the following Thursday
if the weather is clear that day instead. Please check our official calendar for event cancellations or more information

Boardwalk Astronomy, 24th Street Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, VA

East Coast Star Party (ECSP) is hosted by BBAA member Kent Blackwell at the Hampton
Lodge Campground in Coinjock, North Carolina twice each year. Enjoy an intimate star party in the cedars under magnitude 6.3 skies. The party is scheduled in the spring and in
the fall and attracts observers from as far away as New York. Held over a weekend, Kent always hosts a Saturday afternoon cookout where he provides the hot dogs, hamburgers and
soft drinks. Many attendees add their own dishes and the event usually turns into a grand pot luck feast. Visitors that leave by midnight can attend the observing session for
free. Overnight campers pay a reduced star party rate. There are door prizes available to registered guests. Most ECSPs feature at least one vendor. All are welcome but space is
limited and is first come first served.

Cornwatch is our "observer's only" session for club members and their guests held at Cornland Park in Chesapeake. This is where we can work with
new members on using their equipment or just getting together. The session runs from dusk until dawn. Our night use of the park requires a permit.
Click here to log in to NASA's Night Sky Network to
download the permit.

We all want to have a great time at each event. Please follow these simple rules that keep things fun for everybody.

No running or playing around the telescopes. It’s dark, and someone might get hurt or damage the telescopes.

Try not to kick up dirt. The dust and sand can be harmful to telescope optics.

Ask before you touch a telescope. They move very easily. These scopes are the personal property of the astronomer, and many were handmade.
Let’s be extra careful with them.

It is never necessary to grab the eyepiece, as looking is done with the eye. The image is always formed above the glass surface of an eyepiece;
your eye should not contact it.

Please ask before attempting to adjust the focus of a telescope. If the image is blurry ask the astronomer for assistance. Many focuser's can be
locked and damage can occur if focusing is attempted while locked.

Be careful when moving around or approaching a telescope. There may be electrical wires or other trip hazards on the ground leading to the scope.

Be careful not to bump the scopes. You could knock the scope off its target or even cause damage to its drive system.

No white lights around the telescopes after dark. It takes 30 mins for your eyes to adjust to the darkness and less than a second to lose your night
vision. We always cover our lights in red to make them “night vision friendly.” To fully enjoy the experience, observers need to be dark adapted and do their utmost to preserve the dark environment.
But of course, safety must come first! The best light to use is a variable red LED flashlight.

Give yourself time at the eyepiece. Your eye needs a few seconds to get used to looking through the scope. Your view of detail will improve after just
5 seconds.

If you don’t see anything, don’t be afraid to say something. Sometimes the scope gets bumped or the object may drift out of view. If you can’t see,
speak up! We really want you to enjoy the view.

Ask questions! Astronomers love to answer questions.

Don’t stand in front of a telescope. You’d be surprised how many people do.

Be sure to look through each scope. Each telescope gives a different view even when they are all pointing at the same object.

Green laser pointers are permitted, but they should be used carefully and never by children. They are not toys as they can cause considerable damage
to the eye.

The BBAA does not generally provide refreshments or snacks at events. If food or drinks are shared they are offered by individuals, and are enjoyed at
the user’s own risk. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to bring their own snacks and drinks to events.

No food or drink around the telescopes. Accidents happen. Let’s not take any chances.

Bringing a pet to observing sessions, while not forbidden, is also not encouraged. If you must bring your pet, be sure you can control the animal and
keep them away from the telescopes, food, and other guests.

Please dress appropriately. In warm months, you should expect to encounter mosquitoes and other biting insects, especially at dusk. The less skin
exposed the better; shorts are never recommended. Always come prepared for cooler than expected temperatures even in summer. In cold months be sure to dress in layers and wear a hat.

Please avoid spraying bug sprays in the vicinity of the telescopes. The chemicals in the sprays can damage the optics of the telescope.

You may have to climb a ladder to reach the eyepiece for larger scopes. Many telescopes require the use of a foot stool or ladder to view through the
eyepiece. If you need help on them please ask for assistance and use them carefully. You should hold onto the ladder and not the scope.

You observe at your own risk! The BBAA assumes no responsibility for any injury, damage, or loss.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Please do not smoke near the telescopes. The smoke will attach itself on the mirrors of the telescopes and its a lengthy process to remove and clean
the mirrors.

To RSVP or to find out more details for all club events club members can login below